Genesis 11:3-4
11:3 a Stone was plentiful in Canaan; in Mesopotamia, stone was scarce and brick technology was developed.• Tar was made from bitumen, a natural, cement-like, waterproof asphalt (see 6:14 b; Exod 2:3 c).
11:4 d Far from the original garden (2:15 e), the first cities of Genesis represent arrogance (4:17 f), tyranny (10:8-12 g), and wickedness (18:20-21 h). The city on the Babylonian plain was a magnet for human pride and idolatry.
• a tower that reaches into the sky: This was probably a temple-tower (a ziggurat). Common in ancient Babylonian urban culture, ziggurats were regarded as sacred mountains by which deities descended to earth (Jacob’s dream in 28:12 i possibly reflects this idea).
• This will make us famous (literally let us make a name for ourselves): The tower builders sought fame through idolatrous ambition. God promised to give Abram a famous name because of his humble obedience (12:2 j).
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